Almond Ranch in Martinez is considered the missing link to a continuous stretch of protected and preserved open space, ideal for recreational use and as a safe haven for wildlife.

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Almond Ranch makes critical connections for both the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail. John Muir Land Trust must raise $4 million by December 2019. East Bay Regional Park District has already pledged $1 million. Saving Almond Ranch has been a goal of conservationists for decades.

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Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

The lush, 281-acre open space alongside Franklin Canyon Road and next to Mount Wanda is being used as a cattle ranch, and the John Muir Land Trust wants to eventually open it for hikers, dog walkers, cyclists, bird watchers, equestrians and nature lovers of all ages.

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Almond Ranch

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Almond Ranch provides some stunning vistas.

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Almond Ranch makes critical connections for both the Bay Area Ridge Trail and the Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail. John Muir Land Trust must raise $4 million by December 2019.

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Almond Ranch is a critical key in preserving land for recreational use and wildlife habitat.

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Almond Ranch

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

One of many breathtaking views from Almond Ranch.

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Stunning vistas abound on Almond Ranch in Martinez

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

Some remaining structures on Almond Ranch of Martinez.

Adam Weidenbach/John Muir Land Trust

The landscape includes hills and valleys that are home to a variety of wildlife.

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DEAR JOAN: I’m writing to ask your help.

We’re hoping you and your readers will help John Muir Land Trust (jmlt.org) raise $100,000 by the end of this year toward the acquisition of Almond Ranch. Two years ago, your readers generously helped us reach the $7 million needed to purchase Carr Ranch, a stunning 604-acre addition to the Upper San Leandro Watershed that helps keep intact 15,500 acres of essential wilderness habitat.

Almond Ranch — the long sought-after “missing piece” in Martinez — is vitally important. Preserving these 281 acres is the only way to connect a critical segment of the 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail and bring together three enormous conserved landscapes — the combined Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline and Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, Briones Regional Park, and Franklin Ridge Wildlife and Trail Corridor — altogether, a glorious 18,000 acres of protected open space.

This is a haven for wildlife. Grasslands, scrub, oak-bay forests and riparian areas all support native, rare and special-status species such as the Alameda whipsnake and the California red-legged frog. The ridge is home to mountain lions, American badgers, gray foxes and other mammals that keep the ecosystem in balance.

Skies are patrolled by golden eagles, white-tailed kites and various species of hawks. Keeping these wildlife corridors intact is essential as the booming economy puts increasing development pressure on our shrinking natural landscapes.

So far, gifts from early donors and an extraordinary lead pledge of $1 million by the East Bay Regional Park District means that we have raised half of the $4 million needed to complete the acquisition of Almond Ranch by the end of 2019. Here’s the best news: Gifts received by the end of 2018 will be doubled thanks to a generous 100-percent match grant from an anonymous donor.

Thank you for letting your readers know we need their support. With everyone’s help, John Muir Land Trust will be able to protect Almond Ranch forever. For photos, maps, and more information we invite your readers to visit jmlt.org/almondranch.

Linus Eukel, executive director, John Muir Land Trust

DEAR LINUS: I’m so excited to see this project gaining ground, literally. As more and more land is developed, we create conflicts with wildlife that usually do not end well for the animals.

Being able to preserve Almond Ranch and make that connection will give wildlife an expansive safe haven. The property also will help to complete the Bay Area Ridge Trail, a 550-mile loop that circumnavigates the San Francisco Bay. The trail now stops at the Almond Ranch property line.

The ranch is also one of the two remaining acquisitions needed to complete the 50-mile Carquinez Strait Scenic Trail.

Readers, you can donate by going to the John Muir Land Trust’s website, or by mailing contributions marked for Almond Ranch to the trust at P.O. Box 31, Martinez, CA 94553.

Oops

On Friday, I inadvertently mixed up my fleas and ticks. It is ticks, not fleas, that pass along Lyme disease, and which Western fence lizards help curtail. Sorry about that.

Joan Morris is the pets & wildlife columnist for the Bay Area News Group. She also writes about gardening and is the founder of Our Garden, a demonstration garden in Walnut Creek. Morris started her career in 1978 as a reporter for a small New Mexico newspaper. She has lived in the Bay Area since 1988.